Texas is the last border state to receive a Predator drone, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said the absence of one has hurt intelligence capabilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.

“I’m concerned that some of the assets that could be deployed to help not only quell the violence, but also keep our borders secure, are not being deployed because of unnecessary foot-dragging,” Cornyn said.

Napolitano said Texas was the last Southwest border state to receive a drone because “Texas airspace is more crowded.”

Napolitano, under questioning by senators, said the timeline for placing a drone in Texas remains a decision for the Federal Aviation Administration.